Iowa

Biography of O. A. Kimball

In a history of the business development of Clarinda and Page county mention should be made of O. A. Kimball, who for some years figured prominently in connection with the lumber trade and later with the agricultural interests of the community. He was born in New Hampshire in 1835 and was a son of Edwin and Elizabeth (Prescott) Kimball, both of whom were natives of New England. The father followed the occupation of farming in New Hampshire, where both he and his wife died. The Kimball family was established on American soil in the early period in the colonization of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. A. Kampe

C. A. Kampe is one of Fremont township’s enterprising young farmers who is not only progressive in business but also active in community affairs, his aid and influence being always given on the side of progress and improvement. He was born June 19, 1878, in the township in which he still makes his home, his parents being Charles J. and Mathilda (Grundberg) Kampe. They came to the United States before their marriage, sailing from Sweden, their native country. After reaching the shores of the new world they proceeded to the Mississippi valley and established their home in Page county, where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walter William Richardson

Among the leading enterprises which contribute to the business activity and upbuilding of Clarinda is that conducted by the Clarinda Poultry, Butter & Egg Company, of which Mr. Richardson is secretary and manager. As the result of his close application and energy intelligently applied the business has made rapid and substantial advancement and he is today numbered among the most prosperous residents of this city. He was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on the 31st of May 1873, is a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Winskell) Richardson. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in order … Read more

Biography of Joseph Burwell

Joseph Burwell owns and cultivates a tract of land of forty acres on section 26, Nodaway township. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life’s journey and his record is in many respects a highly creditable one worthy of emulation. He was born in Crayford county, Ohio, August 1, 1834, and his parents, William and Nancy ( Morris) Burwell, were also natives of that state. In 1865 they came to Iowa and the mother (died in Limn county during the first year of their residence in this state. The father afterward came to Page county and here spent his … Read more

Biography of Alfred Franklin Beal

Not so abnormally developed in any direction as to be called a genius, Alfred Franklin Beal however has been one of the active men of Clarinda, identified for many years with its business interests and its public concerns. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who has and is still wielding a wide influence. With no aids at the outset of his career he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now at the head of one of the leading commercial interests of Clarinda and at once gives the impression of alertness, enterprise and strong force … Read more

Biography of James G. Williams, M.D.

Dr. James G. Williams, deceased, who for a number of years was a successful practitioner of medicine in Braddyville, Page county, Iowa, was born in Ohio on the 12th of July 1830. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents’ home and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early education. When eighteen years of age he went to Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, where he enrolled as a student in the high school of that city. After completing his high-school course he entered the Keokuk Medical College in preparation for a professional career. He … Read more

Biography of Ezra M. Fleenor

Ezra M. Fleenor, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Valley township, Page county, is one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth occurring in Henry county on the 27th of June, 1860. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Shidler) Fleenor, natives of Iowa and of Pennsylvania respectively, both of whom still survive and make their home in Clarinda. In their family were seven children, all of whom are living but one. Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Ezra M. Fleenor devoted the years of his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of a common-school education and … Read more

Biography of J. Edgar Sawhill

J. Edgar Sawhill, owning and operating one of the finest and most productive farms of Page county, is thereon engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is meeting with excellent success in his undertaking. He is a well known figure in agricultural circles throughout the county, being actively connected with the Farmers’ Institute and also with the experimental station for a number of years. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of October 1858, a son of John and Jane (Pollock) Sawhill, the former born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and the latter in Ohio county, West … Read more

Biography of Hon. O. H. Frink

Hon. O. H. Frink is one of Page county’s representative citizens who has never allowed personal interest or ambition to dwarf his public spirit. His feelings have ever found expression in prompt action rather than in theory and as mayor of Shenandoah lie is now doing effective work in promoting needed restrictive, regulative and constructive measures. He also stands as one who has been prominent in business circles, his previous activity and well directed energy bringing him the competence that makes possible his present retirement. A native of Indiana, Mr. Frink was born in the city of Elkhart, May 26, … Read more

Biography of Joseph C Foster

Joseph C. Foster, carrying on general farming interests for many years in East River township but now leaving the arduous labor of the farm to others, although he still gives to it his general supervision, was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 23, 1826. He is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Silver) Foster, both of whom were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The father was born there May 17, 1794, and when six years of age accompanied his parents to Ross county, Ohio, where he lived until eighteen years of age. A removal was then made to Madison county, … Read more

Nippert, Charles Elsworth – Obituary

Charles Elsworth Nippert, son of George and Sarah Nippert, was born at Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, November 18, 1863, and died at his home in Galva, Iowa, January 5, 1942, having attained the age of 78 years, one month, and 18 days. He came to northwest Iowa in early manhood when it was still raw prairie and a part of the national frontier. At the age of ten years, he came with his parents in a covered wagon. The family settled near Minden in Pottawattamie County, and it was there he grew to manhood. He was married to Elizabeth Hessler … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. C. Van Houten

C. C. Van Houten lived on a farm near Battle Creek, in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa, and was identified with the agricultural interests of this place since 1882. Mr. Van Houten was born in Clarion County, Pa., April 24, 1856. John Van Houten, his father, a native of the Keystone State, served during the Civil War as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He then resided near Cushing, Iowa. John married Miss Mary Ann Boyles, a native of Pennsylvania. They had seven children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. C. C. Van Houten was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. C. Dall

H. C. Dall lived in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa and was a resident since 1881. He was born in that portion of Denmark which became a part of Germany in 1864. The date of his birth was July 31, 1845. He was the son of C. H. and Elizabeth (Iverson) Dall. He was raised in Denmark, attending school from the time he was seven until he was fourteen. In 1872, at the age of 27 years, he left his native land and came to America and settled in Lee County, Illinois. He engaged in farming on rented land. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William C. Forney

He was of Corwin Township, Ida County, Ida Grove, Iowa, and settled here in 1882. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 13, 1854. His father was Michael Forney (born October 15, 1824 in Dauphin County, Pa.) who came here in 1885. His mother was Margaret Crownshield, born in Maryland. Michael and Margaret’s children were: Sarah C., wife of David O. Crum, and William C., the subject of this biography. William C. Forney received his education at Millersville Normal School, Pa., and entered the boot and shoe business. Since coming West in 1882, he engaged in farming and stock-raising. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Grouell

He was a farmer of Battle Township, Ida County, Iowa, Section 23, and was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on April 19, 1846. When George was a lad of 10 years, his family came to Iowa and located near Lowden in Cedar County, later moved to Wheatland, Clinton County. In 1883, he came to Ida County and settled on new land. His cottage home is 14 x 20 feet, with an L, 14 x 16 feet. George’s father was John Grouell and his mother was Christena Weaber, natives of Germany. Mr. Grouell was first married in October, 1870, in Clinton … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. T. Payne

Mr. Payne was born in Clay County, Indiana, in 1851 and was the son of William Benjamin and Malinda (Sturdevant) Payne. He was reared and educated in Boone County, Iowa. May 18, 1875 he purchased prairie land in Section 20, Hayes Township, Ida County, Iowa. Two years later he erected a small house and began farming the land. In 1890 he built a fine, frame residence. He assisted in organizing and naming Hayes Township in 1878, which was taken from Corwin Township. He organized the school districts and was Secretary of the Board during the erection of six school buildings. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Preston

He came to the Battle Creek, Iowa, Ida County, in 1872 to farm. He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, June 27, 1857, son of John and Matilda (Hill) Preston. His parents are from Scotland and they reared a family of eight children with John being the 7th born. He received a good education in his native land, and clerked in a drug store for a short time at Dundee, Scotland. In 1872, when he was 15, he came to America to Ida County where he had two brothers, Andrew and James C. Here he went to school in the winter. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Gilbert S. Usher

He is a citizen of Battle Creek, Ia., Ida County, and an ex-soldier of the Civil War. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio on September 22, 1837. He was raised on a farm in the Territory of Iowa, Linn County. He had his school lessons in a primitive log schoolhouse of Iowa. In 1862, he answered Lincoln’s call for more men for the Civil War. In 1881 he came to Ida County and bought a tract of land in Grant Township and engaged in farming. He married Amanda Marsh in Linn County, Iowa, when he was 22 years of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. S. Wasser

This grocery and queensware establishment was formed in 1885 by R. S. Wasser and J. L. Bleakly of Ida Grove, Ia., Ida County. They first opened business at a stand, then moved to a brick building. R. S. Wasser, head of the firm, is a native of Northumberland County, Pa., born November 17, 1860. His parents were Joseph B. and Susan A. Persing Wasser. Mr. Wasser married Mollie L. Dutcher on September 19, 1888. She was a native of Franklin Grove, Illinois, and died at 26 years of age on August 1, 1891.

Biographical Sketch of William Smith

William Smith was owner and proprietor of the Central Roller Mills, Ida Grove, Ia. He succeeded Wilkinson & Smith in the milling business, this firm having succeeded Brown & Ream. Mr. Brown was the founder of the milling plant and erected the a two-story structure building in 1883. It was a buhrstone mill having a capacity of 40 barrels. In 1887 it was changed to a roller mill by Wilkinson & Smith and its capacity increased to 60 barrels per day. Mr. Smith then erected a new engine house, removed the old slide valve and replaced it with a Reynolds-Corliss … Read more